Incontinence

Urinary incontinence is the involuntary loss of urine from the bladder. It affects an estimated 25 million or more Americans of all ages and economic levels. The great myth about urinary incontinence is that it is a natural part of growing older. There is nothing natural about incontinence. One in five older men suffer with incontinence and half of all women experience incontinence at some point in their lives. However, it is not a necessary consequence of having had children. Urinary incontinence is not a disease, but rather a symptom of an underlying condition. It should always be investigated to determine the cause. A variety of treatments are available, including behavioral interventions, drug therapy, and surgery. What was once an incurable embarrassment is now being replaced with awareness, information, and control. Still, however, only one out of every twelve people affected seeks help.